Brain tumor care

Penn Medicine is nationally recognized for innovative, leading-edge treatment for brain tumors. Our specialists combine the latest research with clinical expertise to treat and manage even the most advanced and complex brain tumors.

Richard Edmund Phillips, MD, PhD, at microcope in brain cancer research lab

A national leader in brain tumor care

When you or your loved one are facing a brain tumor diagnosis, at any stage, you deserve the most experienced clinicians and the most advanced care available.

Penn Medicine’s Brain Tumor Center is a recognized leader in the treatment of benign (non-cancerous), malignant, and metastatic brain tumors. Our specialists are committed to providing hope and peace of mind through clinical innovation. With locations throughout southeastern Pennsylvania and New Jersey, you can receive the care you need close to home while still having access to the latest treatment options. We offer:

  • The most advanced treatments such as Gamma Knife, and Proton Therapy
  • A skilled and experienced surgical team that performs thousands of procedures every year
  • A board of nationally renowned specialists who personally review your case
  • A dedicated nurse navigator to guide you through the treatment process
  • Precision-focused treatment that helps minimize side-effects and recovery time
  • The latest testing tools for the most accurate diagnosis 

Our clinicians work together to explore all treatments, from established therapies to the most innovative options not widely available. We understand that this is a life-changing decision, and we’re here to give you access to leading-edge care because your brain deserves the best.

Physician talking with his diverse team of medical colleagues during a meeting around a conference table in a hospital

The Penn Medicine Tumor Board

The Penn Medicine Tumor Board is a weekly meeting of leading specialists from the fields of neurology, neurosurgery, medical oncology, radiation oncology, neuropathology, neuroradiology, rehabilitation medicine, neuro-psychiatry, nursing, and social work. Together, they review complex cases and work to recommend the best treatment options. 

Cancer care at Penn Medicine

Penn Medicine’s Cancer System is led by the Abramson Cancer Center with locations at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania, Pennsylvania Hospital, Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, Chester County Hospital, and outpatient locations in the Philadelphia and NJ suburbs. Beyond the greater Philadelphia region, the system includes programs at both the Ann B. Barshinger Cancer Institute at Lancaster General Health and Princeton Medical Center.

Find a clinical trial

Clinical trials advance medical care by exploring new ways to prevent, detect, diagnose, and treat disease - helping people live longer, healthier lives.

Clinical trials

Our clinical trials pave the way for research breakthroughs and new, effective cancer treatments.

Second opinions

If you've received a diagnosis, our team of experts offers second opinions to grant you peace of mind.

Support services

Through these offerings, you can receive specialized physical and emotional support during cancer treatment.

The Penn Medicine difference in brain tumor treatment 

Penn Medicine’s neurosurgeons are nationally recognized and perform thousands of brain tumor procedures each year. Our approach is based on the philosophy of performing tumor surgery, not brain surgery. This means we use the latest, most precise techniques to diagnose and treat brain tumors while doing whatever we can to leave surrounding tissue intact.

Our specialists offer some of the most innovative treatment options including TumorGlow ™, a technology that illuminates tumors during surgery to help your surgeon identify where healthy tissue ends and the tumor begins, CAR-T immunotherapy which uses the body’s own immune system to fight cancer cells, and proton therapy, one of the most accurate and powerful forms of radiation therapy.

Patients have access to expert, compassionate care from our neuro-oncologists, who are experts in providing advanced treatment for cancers affecting the brain. Our radiation oncology program offers the latest technology and treatment options, all of which are delivered by doctors who are leaders in their field.

Today’s research leads to tomorrow’s remission

Penn Medicine’s ongoing clinical trials are paving the way for new vaccine therapies, medications, and other treatments. Through these programs, our researchers and providers are always learning about brain tumors and the newest techniques for treating them. As an academic medical center, we use these insights to give patients access to innovative therapies for tumors that are currently considered incurable.

Tumors we treat

Reimagining what’s possible in brain tumor care

Penn Brain Tumor Center is changing the limits of what’s considered “inevitable” and is driven by a desire to create new and better treatments. Patients are given care plans that explore both traditional and newer treatment approaches, many of which are being developed by Penn Medicine’s own clinicians and researchers. This approach has enabled us to make significant advances in brain tumor treatment while offering the best outcomes and highest quality of life.

Bringing hope and enhancing care through partnership

The brain tumor specialists at Penn Medicine work closely with leading national organizations such as the American Brain Tumor Association, National Brain Tumor Society, and National Cancer Institute. These partnerships help ensure our providers stay up to date on the latest treatments and therapies, while lending their expertise to the ongoing clinical research of brain tumor diagnosis and treatment.

National Cancer Institute "Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center" badge on top of exterior shot of the Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine

Rated “exceptional” by The National Cancer Institute

Penn Medicine’s Abramson Cancer Center is a world leader in cancer research, patient care, and education. Our status as a national leader in cancer care is reflected in our continuous designation as a Comprehensive Cancer Center by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) since 1973, one of 7 such centers in the United States. The ACC is also a member of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, one of a select few cancer centers in the U.S., that are working to promote equitable access to high-quality, advanced cancer care.

Diverse team of doctors having a discussion

Our doctors

Our providers work with you to plan and deliver exceptional treatment and personalized care.

Panoramic shot of Penn Medicine's downtown campus

Locations

Our hospitals, multispecialty medical centers, pharmacies, labs and more offer outstanding, personalized care for patients all across the region.

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